Author: Emil Lazarian

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
CLERGY MEETING
OF THE CANADIAN ARMENIAN CHURCH DIOCESE
WAS HELD IN VANCOUVER
The conference of the clergy of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian
Church was held on Friday May 28, in Saint Vartan Armenian Apostolic
Church of Vancouver, presided by His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Primate.
Main items on the agenda were issues related to the mission of the
Church and discussion of activities of the past year. The invocation
was offered by the Primate, who conducted a ceremony of Church Rites,
Prayers and Readings of Psalms as well as hymns dedicated to the repose
of the soul of the first Primate of the Canadian Diocese Archbishop
Vazken Keshishian. Bishop Galstanian interpreted the message from
the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 17). Pointing its relevance to
our contemporary issues, His Eminence said that “the formation of a
community is the reflection of the Holy Trinity. The Church is involved
in that mission, by trying to change not just the shape of the world,
but to change its essence. The Church is against the world, but for
the world. Today, particularly on these shores, it is our sacred duty
to lead our children to spiritual life and to orthodox faith”.
The clergy conference then discussed in detail the spiritual and
re-organizational activities of the Primate during the past year of
his tenure. The conference highly commended the tireless efforts of the
Primate of creating the Department of Christian Education that actively
pursues its objectives, with a special attention on programs of Sunday
Schools and the training of teachers for Christian Education. This
year a special project has been embarked upon for children attending
Diocesan Summer Camp, including teaching of our Church History, Rites
and Hymns based on modern pedagogical principles. The conference
welcomed the initiative of the Primate of establishing the new
approach of Feast Days (visit our website ),
that has created a new enthusiasm in our faithful.
The Clergy Conference noted with pride the visits and meetings that
the Primate held with heads of sister churches of the Roman Catholic,
Anglican and Evangelical churches, as well as with Islamic religious
leaders, all of which will certainly have a positive impact on the
future course of the Diocesan activities. The Conference welcomed with
joy the arrival of Rev. Fr. Hayrig Hovhannessian, who has been called
to serve our Diocese upon the directive of His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
The conference ended by prayers to Almighty God for the repose of
the souls of martyrs of the First Republic of Armenia, of the battles
of Sartarabad, Pashaparan and Gharakiliseh. Prayers were then raised
for the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and for the
health of His Holiness the Catholicos, as well as for the strengthening
of the Motherland, Armenia.
The Conference was closed by the Lord’s Prayer and by singing of the
hymn “Etchmiadzin I Hore”.
Divan of the Diocese
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI DEFENSE MINISTER REFUTES REPORTS ABOUT ARMENIAN PRESENCE IN
GABALA RADAR STATION
ArmenPress
May 31 2004
BAKU, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani defense minister Safar Abiyev has
officially dismissed media ruckus that Russian citizens of Armenian
origin were serving at Gabala Radar Station, leased by Russia in
Azerbaijan. The minister said 35 Armenians, ostensibly serving at the
station, are in fact Ukrainians and Udins (a Caucasian ethnic group
speaking a language of their own and representing the remnant of a
very early Christian community in Azerbaijan that traces its roots
back to the 4th century Caucasus Albanian Church) whose surnames end
in “yan”, like those of Armenians. Over the centuries, the Udins
have been equated with Armenians but, in reality, they are one of
the distinct ethnic groups.
The Gabala radar station has a significant place in the Russian
Federation’s air defense and early warning systems. The station is
also directly linked to the “nuclear suitcase” of the president.
Gabala Radar Station, which was installed to determine the ballistics
missiles between continents, has the capacity to determine every move
in the southern hemisphere.

Russian Vneshtorgbank Continues Transcaucasian Expansion
MOSNEWS, Russia
May 31 2004
One of Russia’s leading universal banks Vneshtrogbank has reached a
principal agreement with the United Georgian Bank over the purchase
of latter’s controlling shares. The information was published on the
bank’s official web site on May 28. The agreement was reached during
a visit of Vneshtorgbank’s delegation to Georgia. The details of the
deal are not reported.
“The purchase of shares of the Georgian bank will promote the
implementation of the Vneshtorgbank strategy, which envisages the
development of its network in the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent
States] countries,” the news release, issued by the VneshTorgBank
reads. First Deputy Chairman of Russian bank Vladimir Levin said that
Vneshtorgbank sees “the banking services’ markets in CIS countries
as having a lot of potential”.
As MosNews reported in March, Vneshtorgbank already purchased a 70
percent stake in Armenian Savings Bank and announced then that it
plans to enter the retail business of providing banking services to
regular citizens. Acquisition of United Georgian Bank signals the
seriousness of Vneshtorgbank’s intentions “to occupy the market niche
of main clearing bank in the CIS countries”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian experts oppose Russian military presence
Pravda, Russia / Rosbalt
May 31 2004
The European Union and the Council of Europe promote Armenian
independence. According to data gathered in a survey of experts by the
Armenian Center for Strategic and National Research, 72% of experts
support this view. At the same time, 56% of those surveyed believe
that Russia limits Armenian independence.
6% see the US and the World Bank as limiting Armenian independence,
and 4% believe the same about Turkey. 66% of experts were confident
that in the next 10-12 years Armenia will become a member of NATO,
with 28% confident that they will not. 6% had difficulty answering
this question. The presence of Russian military bases on Armenian
territory was welcomed by only 18% of the experts who thought that
the bases provide a guarantee of safety for the country. At the same
time, 76% of those surveyed were opposed to Russian forces in Armenia,
and 6% had difficulty answering this question.
Of the 50 experts who participated in the survey, 30% were affiliated
with government organizations and 70% with non-governmental
organizations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Transitions on Line, Czech Rep.
May 31 2004
Deputy Regional Program Manager
TITLE: Deputy Regional Program Manager
REPORTS TO: Regional Program Manager in Baku and PTD Deputy Director
in Washington, DC
POSITION LOCATION: Yerevan, Armenia
US Citizenship Required
IREX, a nonprofit in international education and training, seeks
qualified professional to fill the position of Deputy Regional
Coordinator for the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)
sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US
State Department.
About IREX:
IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is the premier US
nonprofit organization specializing in higher education, independent
media, Internet development, and civil society programs in the United
States, Europe, Eurasia, the Near East, and Asia. IREX’s mission is
to foster democracy in transitioning societies; strengthen and help
internationalize educational, nongovernmental, and media
organizations; support the highest quality research in the social
sciences and humanities; and identify and train the next generation
of leaders by working together with universities, nongovernmental
organizations, foundations, governments, and corporations.
IREX has had an on-the-ground presence in the Caucasus since 1992,
when it opened its Yerevan, Armenia field office. Offices in Tbilisi,
Georgia followed in 1994, and in Baku, Azerbaijan in 1998. IREX
programs in the region span academic exchanges and advising, Internet
access and training, curriculum reform, and short-term professional
training.
Summary of Position:
IREX seeks a qualified professional to fill the position of Deputy
Regional Program Manager for the Internet Access and Training Program
(IATP). The Deputy Regional Program Manager will be based in Yerevan,
Armenia with substantial travel to Georgia and Azerbaijan. The
position requires substantive experience coordinating international
assistance programs with knowledge in utilizing Internet technology
as an educational and training tool. IREX seeks a minimum one-year
commitment.
The Deputy Regional Program Manager will work closely with the
Regional Program Manager to:
– Supervise a network of 35 Internet access sites and more than 60
local staff
– Coordinate program activities with the Public Affairs Sections of
local US Embassies
– Oversee and manage the budget, reporting, statistics collection,
and program direction.
Qualifications:
– Two-three years experience with international assistance and
development programs
– Knowledge of local language preferred
– Experience in using the Internet and integrating information
technology resources in professional and educational settings
– A minimum of one-year experience working and living in Eurasia
– An understanding of LAN architecture and hardware
Submit cover letter and resume to: PTD/DS, [email protected], fax
(202) 628-8189, No phone calls please.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 31 2004
AZERBAIJAN, FRANCE: RELATIONS DEVELOPING
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO
AZERBAIJAN
[May 31, 2004, 16:06:35]
President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev on 31 May at the
President Palace received the ambassador of France to Azerbaijan
Chantal Poiret.
Expressing regret for termination of her diplomatic mission in the
Republic of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev thanked the French
Ambassador for her useful and fruitful activity.
President Ilham Aliyev said that in the period of her activity
in Azerbaijan, mutual relations between the two countries in the
political, economic and other fields have intensively developed. And
highly assessing the Ambassador’s efforts in organizing his visit to
France, stressed the importance of conclusions of this visit.
Reminding service of the ambassadors in development of the mutual
relations between the states, president Ilham Aliyev said that as OSCE
Minsk Group co-chair, France makes enormous efforts for settlement
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, and Ms. Chantal
Poiret has actively taken part in this process.
President Ilham Aliyev once again thanked the Ambassador and wished
success in her future activity.
Noting that she did not spare strength to require high level of the
relations between France and Azerbaijan, Ms. Chantal Poiret stated
that she deeply regards the people of Azerbaijan and its leader.
Expressing her pleasure with hospitability of the Azerbaijan people,
the Ambassador said she would continue her links with Azerbaijan
in France.
At the meeting, also were exchanged views on numerous items of the
prospects of Azerbaijan-France relations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EVERYBODY MUST COMPLETE NATIONAL SERVICE DUTY BEFORE TAKING HIGH POST
A1 Plus | 21:22:25 | 31-05-2004 | Politics |
Supreme Council MPs’ club issued a statement Monday attracting public
attention to those high-ranking state officials, who had dodged
military service in a clear breach of the law.
The club appealed to court demanding to announce Armenian president’s
five orders on appointing culture minister Hovik Hoveyan, justice
minister David Harutyunyan, foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan, defense
minister Serge Sargssyan and prime minister Andranik Margaryan to
their positions invalid.
The court accepted only two of the five motions submitted by the club.
Motions on Andranik Margaryan and Hovik Hoveyan were taken by the
court while the rest three ones on Serge Sargssyan, Vardan Oskanyan
and David Harutyunyan were declined, despite all five cases are
completely alike. “The explanation of the rejection was absolutely
absurd: only Constitutional Court can dispute any presidential decree’s
correspondence with the Constitution”, the statement says.
The club members think the court accepting two and rejecting three
above-mentioned motions displayed political approach instead of
juridical, as Hoveyan’s and Markaryan’s candidacies had been put up
by Orinats Erkir and Republican parties while the rest three officials
were president Kocharyan’s direct nominees.

Fresno Bee
May 31 2004
Day of Remembrance
Armenian church in Yettem celebrates how early Valley settlers
worshipped.
By Ron Orozco
Choir members sing during a special outdoor service Sunday
commemorating the 100th anniversary of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic
Church in Yettem. The service was held under trees adjacent to the
church, where early settlers to the area held their first service.
Richard Darby / The Fresno Bee
YETTEM — Under a canopy of trees, parishioners of St. Mary Armenian
Apostolic Church in eastern Tulare County symbolically celebrated
the church’s 100th anniversary on Pentecost Sunday.
Pentecost is the Christian festival on the seventh Sunday after Easter,
celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
In the central San Joaquin Valley, Pentecost is observed with special
sermons from the pulpit.
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated under its trees to
remember how early settlers in the area worshipped.
In 1904, settlers gathered under a tree at the home of Tateos Davidian
to celebrate Feast of Pentecost, thus beginning the religious life
of the community.
Sunday, the symbolism left parishioners with a sense of gratitude to
the settlers.
Yettem is the Armenian word meaning Eden.
“It takes you back in memory in how they did it before,” said Charlie
Basmajian of Selma. “They put their heads together and built a church.”
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At the outdoor service Sunday, birds chirped from branches and
morning sunlight glistened on leaves as nearly 150 parishioners
were reminded that the early settlers sang the hymn “Aravod Loosoh”
(“Morning of Light”) and read from the New Testament book of Acts.
The Rev. Vartan A.K. Kasparian, pastor of St. Mary, and Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church in America, chanted the service in Armenian along with deacons
and 14 choir members.
Mary Enfiedjian of Visalia followed the service in her prayer book,
“Pokrikneroo Jamakirk.”
“It gives people the courage and inspiration to recall what our
forefathers have gone through as survivors of genocide,” said
Derderian, who visited from Burbank.
An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the Armenian genocide
in the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923.
“In a short period, they had a vision to establish a church, to be
fully integrated in the community and to give life to the community.
“This is special for all of us, not just for Yettem. This will be
the beginning of many more celebrations.”
At the end of the service, Kasparian invited parishioners to come
forward to kiss the Gospel book — and a line quickly formed.
After a short break, parishioners filed inside the church, where
Derderian blessed a new Rodgers pipe organ and celebrated Divine
Liturgy.
In the afternoon, nearly 300 people filled the parish’s Majarian Hall
for a luncheon.
“This is so exciting,” Lucinne Bennett of Visalia said of the
celebrations. “My family has lived here for many, many years.”
It definitely was a day of remembrance.
Betty Farsakian, one of two St. Mary organists, remembered with pride
that her father, Garabed Charles Simonian, built the church.
Member Araxie Menenian also remembered her father: Garbed Kalfayan.
He was parish priest from 1939-65, including during one of the most
difficult times for parishioners.
In 1955, a fire destroyed the church.
“When it burned, he was in Armenia voting for the ‘pope’ of the
church,” Menenian said.
If parishioners had a hard time remembering, six display boards with
the names of Yettem residents in 1910 helped them.
The oldest living person on the board who was in attendance Sunday:
Harry S. Jenanyan, 95.
The Rev. Kasparian pointed out that many have moved away from Yettem,
which remains a hamlet with a population of just 284.
Kasparian said, “Even though a lot of people have moved away from
the area, some to the East Coast, Yettem is still home to them.”
The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559) 441-6304.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Fresno protest backs Armenian resolution
By Pablo Lopez, The Fresno Bee
(May 29, 2004, 5:57 AM)
A group of protesters picketed outside a northwest Fresno restaurant
Friday, hoping to get U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to
commit to a resolution that recognizes the Armenian genocide.
Hastert, in town to support Republican state Sen. Roy Ashburn’s
bid for Congress, never got a chance to address the issue. Once the
$250-a-plate luncheon at Pardini’s was over, Hastert was rushed to
the airport so he could head to his next engagement.
The protesters, however, didn’t leave empty-handed.
Afterward, Ashburn said he told Hastert that he supports the resolution
that recognizes the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands
of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923. If elected to Congress,
Ashburn said, “I would ask Hastert to bring it to a vote.”
At issue is House Resolution 193, marking the 15th anniversary of
the U.S. implementation of the United Nations Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. This landmark convention,
adopted by the U.N. in 1948, specifically identifies genocide as a
crime under international law. The resolution cites the Armenian
genocide as an example of past genocides, along with the Holocaust
and the Rwandan and Cambodian genocides.
The House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the resolution
more than a year ago, but Hastert has not brought it to the House
floor for a vote, said Rich Sanikian, a member of the Armenian
National Committee, Central California, which organized the protest
at Pardini’s.
“If Hastert doesn’t bring this human-rights legislation to a vote
in the next six months, it will die at the end of this congressional
session,” Sanikian said.
Hastert is an Illinois Republican.
About 30 people protested outside the restaurant, carrying signs
that read: “Hastert hear the cry from history” and “Hastert holds
the genocide vote hostage.”
Sanikian said local leaders who support the resolution include
Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa; Fresno Mayor Alan Autry; and
Ashburn’s political rival, former state Sen. Jim Costa.
Costa, a Fresno Democrat, and Ashburn are battling for the open 20th
Congressional District seat. Incumbent Cal Dooley, D-Fresno, is not
running for reelection.
The Central Valley is home to more than 60,000 Armenians, one of the
oldest ethnic groups in the area. Armenians want Turkey to recognize
the genocide and pay restitution.
The modern Turkish republic, which evolved from the Ottoman Empire,
disputes that a genocide occurred. The U.S. government has repeatedly
balked at passing a resolution because Turkey is an ally and its
location is of strategic importance to American interests abroad.
Ashburn’s luncheon drew a who’s-who list of civic leaders, including
state Sen. Chuck Poochigian, a Fresno Republican; Madera County
Supervisor Frank Bigelow; and Mike Reynolds, founder of the Three
Strikes repeat offender law.
News crews were not allowed inside the private party. Guests could
get photographs with Hastert for a $2,000 donation.
Afterward, Ashburn said if he is elected to Congress he could help the
Armenian cause and protect Valley interests because he will be part
of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. “I will
have committee assignments and seek a leadership role,” he said. If
Costa is elected, Ashburn said, “he would be in the minority, a back
bench newcomer.”
Costa said he has been an effective legislator because he has
bi-partisan support. He said he has been a long time supporter of
the genocide resolution.
The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559) 441-6434.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri presidential aide says BBC radio cannot be taken off air
Azartac news agency, Baku
31 May 04
Azerbaijan is a democratic republic, democracy in the country is
developing rapidly, and it would be inappropriate to take a media
outlet off the air for the information it circulates, the head of
the presidential administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev, has told Azartac
news agency commenting on a BBC correspondent’s visit to Nagornyy
Karabakh without the permission of the Azerbaijani authorities and
in violation of Azerbaijani laws.
Ramiz Mehdiyev added that the BBC correspondent should have observed
the law, and the fact that he did not has caused fair discontent of
many people.
However, since freedom of the press is duly protected in Azerbaijan,
it would be unacceptable to take sanctions against the radio station
or to take it off the air. This runs counter to democratic principles
and to our position, Mehdiyev said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress